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Rangers likely to face Iwakuma, Felix in Mariners series

Rangers likely to face Iwakuma, Felix in Mariners series

7/4/13: Adrian Beltre belts two home runs to deep center field off Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma

By T.R. Sullivan
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MLB.com |

HOUSTON -- The Rangers are expected to face the Mariners' two best pitchers during their three-game series that starts on Friday at the Ballpark in Arlington.

The Mariners' rotation is set up right now for Hisashi Iwakuma to pitch on Friday and Felix Hernandez on Saturday. Erasmo Ramirez is scheduled to pitch the Sunday game. Iwakuma is 2-3 with a 4.17 ERA in seven games (six starts) over two seasons against the Rangers.

Hernandez has a much more extensive history against the Rangers. This would be his 38th start against the Rangers, which would tie him for fourth most all-time. During those 37 starts, Hernandez is 12-18 with a 3.83 ERA. The 18 losses are tied with Chuck Finley for the most by an opposing pitcher in club history. Finley has been retired for over a decade. Hernandez is signed with the Mariners through at least 2019. He is 0-2 with a 4.66 ERA against the Rangers this season.

The Rangers are facing three left-handers in four days in Houston, but they will see five right-handers during the first two series in Arlington. The Brewers are scheduled to pitch right-handers Marco Estrada and Tyler Thornburg during the two-game set on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Rangers have an off-day on Thursday, and manager Ron Washington said he does not expect to use that to skip any pitchers in the rotation. Washington said the plan right now is to give everybody a day of rest. That means Alexi Ogando and Matt Garza will pitch against the Brewers, and Derek Holland, Martin Perez and Yu Darvish will pitch against the Mariners.